To find Koskas

[tomcat]

Fengel swung his leg up over the saddle and adjusted his position for best comfort; Durgil was a few feet away doing the same thing. The two riders checked that their gear was tightly secured and that nothing had been forgotten. They were on a reconnaisance mission and so had removed most of their traveling gear from their horses so the animals would not be overburdened in the case of needing to ride hard. Weapons were slung in place - bow and quiver, swords, shields, and Fengel had acquired himself a new spear.

With them would also go young Gareth and he prepared his own mount as Dirnhael and Nain came up to the group about to depart. The Dwarf wiped his blackened, soot covered hands with a towel and gave the Éothraim a smile and a nod. The two's relationship had been most times fiery, but they were friends and the Dwarf knew that the Man was about to lead he and a fellow comrade into an area occupied by a new enemy. The night was midway through and it was Fengel's wish to be on the outskirts of Koskas' encampment before morning broke. They were to sum up the potential threat and report back post haste. They hoped for little interaction with the Easterlings, but that could not be assured and thus they checked their weapons one more time.

Edrahil came to send them off as well, and the Company could see the grim look on his face telling of what he saw within the sick house. The Elf walked up to stand beside Dirnhael and Nain. He addressed his fellow companions, "The house of the sick may soon need be renamed to that of the dead for I see little hope there and would rather save our valuable store of Ephanial for others that might be able to recover from the sickness." He then looked to Durgil and Edrahil, "Remember, should you need us, you need only call my name and we shall know. We will make haste to come to your aid lest we too are engaged."

The two companions remembered the spell that Edrahil had laid upon them all those many months ago when they were traveling in the northern wastes of Angmar. They each gave a nod and then drew on their reins to bring their horses about. With a wave, Fengel kicked his heels into the sides of his mount and Heostor burst forth, carrying the Éothraim out of the walled fortress of Thergas - behind him charged Durgil and Gareth.

The trio rode hard in a direction north and west even though their goal lay north and east, but the smoother slopes of the western side of the Dinvuld Hills was more accomodating to their pace. Fengel knew they could continue in this manner for a few miles before they would need to curve east and be able to use the Dinvale, a road that passed through a cut in the hills. He worried that the valley maybe guarded but hoped that they night would lessen any chance of their being seen.

Behind them, back at Thergas, another set of riders rode off into the night - their course was due west to Burh Alge and Thuidmar the Head clansman.

The companions arrived at the Dinvale road with no apparent  reaction from enemy or friend alike. Cautiously they took the road east and rode at a slower gait so as not to make too much noise in the silent hills. The road itself, if that is what it could be called, was a tumbled mess of large rocks, scrub brush  and gravel. Durgil wondered how any merchant could bring a wain filled with wares through the cleft in the hills and again marvelled at the sturdy stock that Fengel had been born too.

It took almost an hour, but they crossed through the dark canyon and made it back onto the eastern plains, just south of the position Eorlas had shown them to be where Koskas the Fell sortied from. They skirted to the southern side of the Dinvulds and made their approach from the western side of the encampment. Even in the early hour, the companions could see that the Easterlings were up and about. Fires burned brightly in multiple locations allowing Durgil and Fengel to estimate their numbers. By what the two could see, the Easterlings had made semi-pemanent structures and so signified that they weren't planning on going anywhere anytime soon. Horses, chariots and wains could be seen in the dim light on the far side of the settlement.


OOC: You can give me Observe (Spot) tests if you would for each of your characters and I will give you details based on Degree of Success

[Palandil]

Fengel searched the camp with his eyes.  All the while his anger toward the easterling dogs was evident upon his face.

Observe Test:
Observe+3; Per+1; Spot+2; Nighteyed+2
Roll(2d6)+6: 3,6,+6 Total:15

[GandalfOfBorg]

Observe (Spot) - (6+1)+3+2=12

[tomcat]

Fengel and Durgil could see a large central hut that was built out of a wooden frame and then covered with animal hides of all types. Light flickered within and without from a central fire ring and one that burned inside. Three Men sat about the outer fire circle and talked although the two companions could hear nothing. Around this hub, betwen more tents and makeshift structures, Easterlings milled about, tending to some unknown chore. That was when Fengel noticed the large canine-type beasts that also lay about loose or wandered amongst the Men. He grabbed Durgil's jerkin and pointed in the direction of one of the wargs and the Dúnadan nodded, affirming that he had seen them too.

The two peered harder at the camp to see if they could garner anymore useful knowledge - Durgil made a rough estimate thirty-five warriors and about ten of the dark hounds. He watched the central tent and noticed as a blonde woman, clearly not an Easterling, exited from the abode to be followed moments later by a tall, slender man. From his distant vantage, Durgil could see the haggard look to the female in her stance and gait and he cringed at the thought of her treatment. The Easterling on the other hand was jovial and he stood laughing amongst his comrades as he took a cup from one by the fire. He had no hair atop his head nor on his chest, which was bare under a leather vest; his trousers came down to below his knees and were also of some kind of skin; his feet were unshod.

Fengel watched another area of the camp, one that had caught his eye due to its lack of light and the fewer number of Easterlings that wandered about. One of the enemy Men entered a stockade that would be used to pen animals and he saw move away from the warrior the shadowy forms of people.

[GandalfOfBorg]

Durgil was torn.  He wished that the woman he saw would be his friend's sister, but would not wish upon the unhappy tidings of her captivity.  Fighting off the urge to knock an arrow and knock the dishonorable man from his feet, he circled back to where they would meet up and wait if the others hadn't returned.

[Palandil]

Fengel shook his head, he never hated the Sagath before, but now he could feel it rising up within his heart.  Seeing the people in the stockade brought hope again that Gleowyn may be there.  It took all he had not to try and draw closer, but he would wait a little longer so the sun might reveal who was in the pen.  He scoured the camp again, looking for anything else that might give them an edge.

OOC: Doug should we not read the other thread?

[tomcat]

OOC: You can read both threads, no problem! Just remember that Fengel and Durgil would not be able to react from anything in that thread, and vice versa (just like the small interludes that I put in our story that tell of things going on in other places). But no, you can keep up with what's going on at both locations.  :D

[tomcat]

Fengel saw nothing else of advantage within the camp and nor could he do anything at the moment to change situation for his kin held there. With frustration brewing, he slid back from his observation point and looked to Durgil. The Dúnadan made motion in a direction towards the plain below; in the increasing morning light a large warg sniffed at the ground as it roamed about the enemy's encampment. The two companions realized that the Sagath Koskas must be using the beasts to keep guard of his settlement and that there had to be more about. This posed a greater threat due to the creatures keen sense of smell and both Durgl and Fengel knew that they could not stay long without being discovered.


OOC: Action -and/or - Dialogue?

[Palandil]

"We've seen all we can for now.  Lets get moving before our scent gives us away."  With a nod to Gareth, Fengel mounted Heostor again, leading the scouts away as quietly and quickly as he could.